SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- David "Bucky" Brooks says he finally feels a sense of closure now that Stanley Dishon has taken the blame his niece Jessica Dishon's death.

Brooks says now he has a chance at a fresh start.

"We all rejoiced last night, my whole family -- friends," Brooks said."We can finally get our life back together."

Married for 27 years, David "Bucky" Brooks holds his wife Irene's hand a day after Brooks says his name was finally cleared.

He says the lives of his five children were ruined when he was wrongly accused of murdering 17-year-old Jessica Dishon.

"It was awful because my mom and dad had to sell everything they had," Brooks said. "I've lost both parents since then, lost my dad in 2009, lost my mom in 2010."

"All I can say is to my mother-in-law and father-in-law in heaven, ma it's over with," said Irene Brooks. "They lasted this long. I'm just glad it's over with."

Brooks was charged with Jessica's murder in 2001 and his case ended in a mistrial. Thirteen years later, Jessica's Uncle -- Stanley Dishon -- pleaded guilty to manslaughter in her death.

"Bucky never had a chance to hear a jury say not guilty and that cloud is removed," Brooks' attorney John Spainhour said.

"We're going Monday morning and finding temporary work," Brooks said. "Now that this cleared, I can get a job finally."

Bucky says the cloud of suspicion affected everything from work to finding a place to live. They've moved around a lot and currently live in Nelson County.

"We're looking for another place to live because we've got a little girl who is real sick -- looking for a place where we don't have to use wood heat," Brooks said. "We have a four-and-a-half-year-old, she's a heart patient."

Brooks thanked the investigators and the Bullitt County Sheriff for the new investigation that led to Stanley Dishon. The Sheriff's Department apologized to Brooks and the Brooks family says they forgive police. They are not planning to file a lawsuit.

"They are only human," Irene Brooks said. "They made mistakes and I don't hold a grudge against them. We all make mistakes."

When asked about his feelings towards Stanley Dishon, Bucky said, "I ain't got no grudge against him for not coming forward. I just wish he would have sooner, but I ain't got no hard feelings against him."

Brooks says he knew Jessica as an acquaintance and this also brings closure to her family. He and his wife say their faith has kept them strong over the years.

When talking about his wife, Bucky said, "Yeah, she stayed right there. She ain't never quit, never give up, nothing."